“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” - Psalm 19:1
In the coming weeks, we will explore how, as the Psalms tell us, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” We will realize that not only does nature enable us to understand the nature of God, but also that understanding the nature of God has led to some of the greatest scientific insights into the nature of nature!
Of course, anything that God blesses us with is not only a gift but also a responsibility, and we will see how Scripture commands us to be stewards of God’s earth. We will realize that there is a certain unfathomability to nature - there are some things we cannot fully understand the why or what - that will remind us there is more to God and God’s creation then what our human minds can grasp. All of these gifts of nature come down to one fact explained by Genesis: creation is good. Well, not just good, but very good.
This series is about appreciating, enjoying, and delighting in God's creation. As the Psalms tell us, when we look upon creation, we can see the handprints of God and learn something about our amazing, wondrous Creator. When we witness the majesty of mountains, the beauty of the sky, or the astonishing design of creatures—like mountain goats that can balance on a rock the size of a quarter and scale vertical cliffs due to the intricate design of their hooves - we gain a deeper sense of awe. Learning about the wonders of nature enables us to marvel at and glorify God even more.
There are times in our lives when the people of God have responded to challenges by seeking justice and working to reshape the world. But there are also times when we are called to be still - as the Psalm reminds us, "Be still and know that I am God." We hope this series will encourage us to cultivate, relish, and bask in the peacefulness of nature, reminding us of the beauty of life and the God who created it all.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, through giving us stewardship of the earth You have made us co-creators to preserve, magnify, and enjoy Your creation. But at times we have hoarded its resources and failed to preserve it. Give us wisdom that we might develop this world and its natural beauty so that all may enjoy its fruits.
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